I’m raising money for NBGC's 2025 GivingTuesday Campaign because this place is special!

If you’ve ever walked into our gym or fields or classrooms, you know exactly what I mean. Kids are laughing, playing, learning, trying new things, growing up together. It’s chaos in the best possible way.

My own boys, Winston and Teddy, are part of it too, and they love every moment they’re here. Watching them dive into programs, make friends, and come home with those classic “NBGC stories” reminds me why this place matters on a personal level.

And then there’s the other side of my life here. As the Director of Development, I get to see firsthand what it takes to keep all of this going. I see the little moments that make a childhood great, and I also see the behind-the-scenes work that makes it possible. Families depend on us. Kids grow because of us. And none of it happens automatically.

NBGC isn’t a massive national organization. It’s us. It’s this neighborhood and the people who care about it. We don’t get government funding. We’re not part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Everything we provide happens because people believe in what we do and choose to support it.

So yeah, I’m fundraising because I’ve seen the impact from every angle. I’ve seen tiny cleats being laced up. I’ve seen teens step into leadership and surprise themselves. I’ve seen lifelong friendships begin in our gym. And I’ve watched hundreds of families rely on us as a steady, positive part of their kids’ lives.

Your support turns into real things for our community. It turns into coaches who show up for kids. It turns into afterschool programs parents can actually afford. It turns into confidence, joy, opportunities, and memories that stick with kids forever.

If you can give, amazing. If you share this, that helps too. Every bit keeps NBGC strong. And I’m genuinely proud to be both a parent here and part of the team making this work happen.

Thanks for supporting something that means a lot to me, to my family, and to so many Chicago kids.